York residents narrowly voted down a referendum to regulate short-term rentals.

The measure would have required all short-term rental owners to register and secure a three-year permit for their properties with the town. The referendum failed over the weekend by 241 votes.

The proposal sparked dueling campaigns within the town of York this spring.

An opposition group argued that many of the requirements were too onerous for some property owners. Proponents said regulations were needed to better track the number of short-term rentals in the town, and to preserve the quality of life in York neighborhoods.

On May 11 -12, more than 60 high school sailors from throughout Maine competed in the Down East Open and Maine High School Fleet Racing Championships at Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) in Castine.

The weather was in the sailors’ favor as partially sunny skies and winds between 4-13 mph held throughout the two-day event.

Sailors were hosted for this prestigious event by George Stevens Academy (GSA) and all on and off-water accommodations provided by MMA.

Saturday’s racing kicked off with the First A Division race held in a light breeze from the east. The wind then shifted to the southwest and although somewhat shifty picked up to 10 -12 mph for the remainder of the day’s racing.

The race committee, under Peter Clapp and MMA Varsity Sailing Coach Patrick DiLalla, was kept busy shifting marks on the race course to accommodate the changing conditions. At days’ end, Camden Hills and Oceanside high schools were one and two in the 13 boat fleet followed by Islesboro, Cherevus and Greeley.

Day Two started out overcast in very light southwest winds resulting in slow racing and a race abandonment mid-morning. The sun then came out, the breeze came back and steadied in the 8-12 mph range, treating sailors to excellent conditions for the remainder of the regatta.

The racing throughout the day was very close as Camden Hills, Oceanside and GSA battled it out for top honors. At the close of the final race GSA captured the Down East Open Regatta honors by a single point while Camden Hills secured the Maine High School Fleet Racing Championship.

Members of the victorious Camden Hills team included Charlie Conover and Ava Tobias, A Division and Elliot Condon, Teague Buchanan, Oliver Lee and Mabel Wight in B Division.

Additional participants included; Oceanside’s Emmett Dorr and Sarah Vallance in A Division and Henry Weymouth and Sophia Skrivanich in B Division, and Islesboro’s Alma Bewsher and Rosie Brimley in A Division with Eloise Mooney, Harper Conover, Ford Glotzel and Luke Neve competing in B Division.

Of special note, Oceanside’s Henri Weymouth was recognized with the regatta’s Sportsmanship Trophy.

Maine Woodland Owners is set to hold its first free Tree ID Day from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 1, at four locations — Searsport, Farmington, Brownville, and Winthrop.

Merle Ring leads an educational event for Maine Woodland Owners. Submitted photo

During this all-ages event, foresters will guide attendees through Tree ID Trails and demonstrate ways to accurately identify common tree species. Information guides and materials will be provided, as well as refreshments.

Probert Memorial Forest is located at 15 Cobb Road in Searsport.

Clifford Woods is on Titcomb Hill Road in Farmington.

Brownville Woods is located on Davis Street in Brownville.

Georgia Fuller Wiesendanger Wildlife Protection Area is on the Case Road on the Winthrop/Readfield line.

For more information, contact Jenn Hicks at 207-626-0005 or jenn@mainewoodlandowners.org, or register at mainewoodlandowners.org.

Check out other upcoming area events!

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